On this day: November 15

Sherman begins his march to the sea, FDR lays the cornerstone of the Jefferson Memorial, Elvis Presley makes his movie debut, and Joey Buttafuoco heads to jail, all on this day.

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Library of Congress

1954: Actor Lionel Barrymore, who won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in 1931's "A Free Soul" and was best known for the role of the villainous Mister Potter in Frank Capra's 1946 film "It's a Wonderful Life," dies of a heart attack at the age of 76 in Van Nuys, California. Barrymore, a member of the theatrical Barrymore family and the grand-uncle of actress Drew Barrymore, also directed films, earning an Oscar nomination for 1929's "Madame X."